Submitted photo The addition of transfer Andrew Powdrell, right, gives the Mountaineers additional experience in the secondary.

MORGANTOWN — West Virginia football defensive back Andrew Powdrell has played for two of the most well-known coaches in college football. Powdrell transferred over from UNLV this offseason, playing for Dan Mullen. Mullen has coached in 11 bowl games and spent a couple of years leading Florida to high-ranked seasons.

After 15 practices, Powdrell has spent the spring with Rich Rodriguez. Rodriguez coached in 12 bowl games and had WVU ranked highly in the AP Poll, too.

Powdrell is one of the few players who have played for both.

“They are very similar,” Powdrell said. “They are very hardcore, get after it. I love it. I feel like that brings the best out of the team. There’s not going to be a practice where he lets anybody slack. They are very similar in that matter in how they like to coach.”

Powdrell has experienced a lot over his three years of playing college football and is one of the veteran transfers Rodriguez picked up in the portal.

Before Mullen and UNLV, Powdrell spent two seasons at Montana State. Powdrell has been working his way up the ranks because he eventually wanted to play in a Power Four conference, which was one of the reasons he picked WVU. The Mountaineers also offered the fact that he didn’t just have to play corner and could play safety and nickel. He’s had to work on adjusting this spring, though. Powdrell feels he fits the nickel/safety role.

“My zone drops are different,” Powdrell said. “DB is DB. At the end of the day, if you can guard out there at corner on the island by yourself, you’ll be fine anywhere. The coaches have helped me a lot just coming along, learning, telling me the right things to do and everything.”

After transferring twice, Powdrell hasn’t had a hard time adjusting to his new surroundings, even if one of the places was in Las Vegas, because he’s been just focused on being a student-athlete and playing football.

Making new friends hasn’t been tough either for him, so deciding to move so many times wasn’t hard. Powdrell has gotten along with the other defensive backs already and noted Wisconsin transfer Geimere Latimer being one of them.

“That comes very natural,” Powdrell said. “It’s not really something I force. As you get around the guys in your group, spend some time together, even outside of just football, we grow a bond and from there it just happens.”

Over those three seasons at two different schools, Powdrell has that big-game experience, which most of the roster lacks. At Montana State, he helped the Bobcats make it to the 2024 FCS National Championship game. The following season, with Mullen, the Rebels went to the Mountain West Championship game.

Powdrell didn’t win either game, but hopes to bring some championship aspirations to the Mountaineers. WVU hasn’t been to the College Football Playoffs since its creation.

“Definitely takes a different mindset for the team,” Powdrell said. “Different discipline to go that far. Ready to give it their all. Playoffs goes by in a blur. You’re just so excited that you’re in the playoffs.”

Coming from a smaller school, then to the FBS at a Group of 5 and now into a Power Four program, Powdrell has to have a “hard edge” type mindset to work his way up the levels, and has seen that on the successful teams. He’s hoping that’ll rub off on some of the newer players, which is why he’s fit in so well this spring.

“Naturally, it just helps me have a chip on my shoulder,” Powdrell said. “There’s so much more football to play. We are just getting started. I’m excited just for the next step, and to grind, and keep proving myself. Just bringing my teammates along, too. Being a senior, my mindset is just a little different. Just trying to get the young guys and everybody to just finish strong.”